Electric fan

ABSTRACT

A fan device is described providing novel and beneficial features to the user. In a first aspect of the invention, an improved fan device and method is described in which a body portion (having a first longitudinal axis) of the fan may be both gripped, for moving the fan from one position to another, and also activated to the on or off condition using only one hand for simultaneously moving and activating the fan. The fan has a magnet for stabilizing the fan when set down to provide a stream of air. The fan is configured to have a head attached to the body portion, the head having a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion. The fan also has a fan blade attached to the head, the fan blade having a third axis of rotation in relation to the head, the second and third axes intersecting at an angle. The first and second axes also intersect at an angle. When the head is rotated about the second axis, the third axis sweeps out a portion of a cone, thereby providing a wider variety of different angles for directing air. The fan may have a rechargeable battery.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to hand held or portable electric fans, more particularly to highly versatile fans for use in confined and uneven spaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The art field relative to portable electric fans is well established. Many portable fans have been developed and exist for a variety of applications depending upon the use to which the user intends to apply the fan. In many instances, such portable fans are battery operated, and are designed much like flashlights having an elongate body for forming a battery chamber, and having a fan device attached either at the top of the device, or having the fan device sitting on the top side of the unit and facing outwardly in a 90 degree angle relative to the handle case.

In many instances, such portable fans are intended to be held by the user by griping the elongate body portion since that portion is usually designed as a battery chamber, and forms a convenient handle for the user. The operator grips the device by griping the elongate body portion which forms a handle, and when activating the switch, activates the fan motor which then turns the fan hub causing the fan blades to pivot outwardly and form a cooling fan device.

Other types of cordless fans have been produced and generally include a fan unit which, in the usual application, provides a plurality of fan blades encased within a cage unit, with the entire unit being provided with a stand of some type for placement upon a horizontal surface, or with a clip type device for fixing to clothing or external structure.

Shortcomings with such systems include the fact that fans may rapidly consume the charge stored in batteries, requiring their constant and expensive replacement. Another shortcoming is that such portable fans are typically of fixed geometry, or having limited mobility, with the result that the direction of air flow is limited by the geometry of the fan unit. Thus, a user who may be working in a confined space, such as beneath an automobile, in a elevator shaft, in a small workshop, or other confined workspace, may have difficulty positioning the fan unit so that a steady stream of air is directed in the appropriate direction.

Thus, there exists a need for a portable fan unit that is versatile, inexpensive to manufacture and operate, capable of being located in awkward and uneven spaces, yet able to direct a stream of air flow in a desired direction. The present invention is intended to be an improvement in connection with portable fan units, for addressing these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is described an improved portable electric fan including a body portion, a lockable switch on the body portion, a fan blade, driven by an electric motor, and a rechargeable battery connected to power the electric motor. The body portion is configured to be grasped by a hand for moving the position of the fan, and the switch is adapted to be activated by a finger of the same hand simultaneously while the fan is being grasped.

According to one feature of the invention, the fan includes a magnet adapted to stabilize the fan when it is placed on a metallic surface. Preferably, the magnet is attached to a surface of the rechargeable battery.

According to another feature of the invention, the fan includes a head attached to the body portion, the body portion being elongate about a first axis. The head has a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion. The fan further includes a fan blade connected to the head. The fan blade has a third axis of rotation in relation to head. The second axis of rotation intersects the third axis of rotation at an angle, so that, when the head is rotated about the first axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation sweeps out a portion of a cone. This feature imparts a flexibility to the fan so that it may conveniently be configured to deliver a stream of air in a variety of different directions.

According to yet another feature of the invention, the fan is designed to be assembled in an extremely simple manner. To this end, the head of the fan is composed of only two mirror image pieces, each configured to be held to the other only by the body portion when the body portion is screwed together as a single piece. Thus, no screws are required to hold the two portions of the head together. According to this simple method of manufacturing and assembling the fan device, the body portion is composed of only two effectively mirror image pieces. That is to say, the two body portion pieces are mirror image pieces of each other, except for portions which are adapted to receive and hold the lockable switch. The two pieces of the body portion are adapted to be held together by screws.

According to another feature of the invention, the head includes a cylindrical neck, and the body portion includes a cylindrical throat, the throat being adapted to snugly receive the neck. The neck includes a collar. The collar is adapted to extend beyond a diameter of the throat to prevent the head from separating from the body portion.

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof and the accompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view from the side of a portable fan having features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, shown in perspective, of the fan of FIG. 1, showing components of the fan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of mirror image pieces, in a disassembled configuration, making up a portion the fan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of the pieces shown in FIG. 3, in a partially assembled configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mirror image pieces making up the head of the fan of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6-8 are perspective views of the fan of FIG. 1, showing the fan cage pointing in different directions in relation to the body portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, the fan device is generally represented by the numeral 20. The fan device 20 comprises a central elongate body portion 22, which forms a convenient grasp section for the hand of a user. At the top end of the body portion is attached a rotatable head 24, configured to conveniently connect to the body portion 22 as more fully described below. At the bottom end of the body portion 22 is attached a removable rechargeable battery portion 34.

A lockable trigger switch 110 is conveniently positioned on the body portion so that the body portion 22 may be grasped and the fan moved about by one hand while, with the same hand, the switch may be simultaneously depressed to activate or deactivate the fan. The switch 110 may be lockable in a conventional way, so that it locks closed when depressed from the open condition, and locks open when depressed from the closed condition. This feature allows the user to switch on the fan and release it from his grasp, whereupon the fan stays on, and to the same effect with the off condition.

The rechargeable battery 34 may be a standard rechargeable battery, such as is obtainable for use with electric drills, screwdrivers, and similar electric tools.

To the front end of the head 24 is attached a fan cage 26, adapted to enclose fan blades 30 of a conventional kind. The fan cage 26 is covered in front by a fan grille 28, adapted to allow the passage of air. A conventional fan motor 32 is installed between the cage 26 and the head 24, connected through the body portion 22 via the lockable switch 110.

In order to provide for enhanced variability of the air flow direction from the fan device 20 under a system that is easy to assemble and operate, the interface between the body portion 22 and the head 24 is configured as follows, from essentially only four separate molded parts. As exemplified in FIG. 3, the body portion 22 may be provided in the form of two “effectively” mirror image pieces of each other, the left body portion 102 and the right body portion 104. In other words, to the extent the pieces are not actual mirror images of each other, the difference between them is arranged to accommodate the lockable trigger switch 110. Also, the head 24 may be provided in what may be two actual mirror image pieces of each other, the left head portion 106, and the right head portion 108.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, each head portion 106, 108 includes a cylindrical neck 112, adapted to closely fit within a cylindrical throat 114 in each of the body portions 102, 104. A collar 116 surrounds the circumference of each neck 112, so that when the head portions are put together, and held together by the body portions 102, 104 (which may be screwed to each other), the head 24 is snugly held by its neck 112 in the throat 114 of the body portion 22, and is prevented from sliding apart from the body portion 22 by the circumferential outwardly extending collar 116 of the neck. In this state, the head may smoothly rotate about an axis Q-Q relative to the body portion, as shown in FIG. 4. The body portion itself is elongate about a general axis P-P, and the axis Q-Q is set an angle Û to the axis P-P. In a preferred embodiment the angle Û may be between 60 and 45 degrees, in order to provide a wide range of angles in which the fan may expel a stream of air.

It will be appreciated that the neck 112 itself may be hollow, thereby providing a convenient passage for electric wires to connect the fan motor 32, through the body portion 22, to the rechargeable battery 34 via the switch 110. It will be further appreciated that the head portions 106, 108 need not be screwed to each other for assembly of the fan, because the throat 114 of the body portion (the body portion 22 itself may be held together by screws), will be adequate to hold the two head portions together.

Toward the front of the head 24, circumferential external threads 118 are provided to matingly receive internal threads (not shown) on the fan cage 26. As exemplified in FIG. 4, the fan blade 30 is adapted to rotate about an axis R-R that forms an angle Â with the axis of rotation Q-Q of the head 24 (106, 108) about the body portion 22 (102, 104). In a preferred aspect, the angle Â may be between 30 degrees and 45 degrees. It will be appreciated that this offset angle allows the user to variably set the direction of air flow from the fan. Rotation of the head 24 in relation to the body portion 22 will cause the axis of rotation R-R of the fan to sweep out a conical path, so that the fan cage 26 may be pointed in a variety of different directions in relation to the body portion 22. This variety of possible directions gives the user the advantage of setting the angle of air flow to a multitude of directions to suit his or her exact needs, where the positioning of the fan may be difficult in a confined space. Thus, depending on the magnitude of the angles Â and Û. The direction of air flow (parallel to axis R-R) may range from about 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis P-P of the body portion, as exemplified in FIG. 6, to almost parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion, as exemplified in FIG. 8, and various angles in between, as exemplified in FIG. 7.

In a further aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a strong magnet 200 (FIG. 1) may be fixed to the base of the rechargeable battery 34. This aspect of the invention allows the user, when confronted with a very small working space such as when under a motor vehicle, in a lift compartment, or in any other small space, to set the fan upon any useful metal surface that may present itself to stabilize or hold the fan, and thereby afford the user a much broader range of options for providing an air flow to the working location. It will be appreciated that the magnet need not necessarily be sufficiently strong to hold the fan device 20 in a horizontal position, but where an oblique or uneven metallic surface is present that is suitable for positioning the fan, a magnet beneath the battery will stabilize the fan and provide a wider range of options for the user in positioning the fan for providing a steady air flow.

Thus, it will seen, the embodiments of the present invention provide an extremely versatile fan device for users who are confronted with working in awkward spaces where it is difficult to direct a flow of air from a conventional air delivery device. The construction of the fan device is extremely simple, permitting fabrication from a small number of molded pieces and connected together with a small number of connector devices such as screws. The configuration further allows the user to move the fan and to activate or deactivate the motor simultaneously with one hand.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A portable electric fan comprising: a body portion; a lockable switch on the body portion, a fan blade, driven by an electric motor; and a rechargeable battery for powering the electric motor; wherein, the body portion is configured to be grasped by a hand for moving the position of the fan, and the switch is adapted to be activated by a finger of the same hand simultaneously while the fan is being grasped.
 2. The fan of claim 1, further including a magnet attached to the fan, adapted to stabilize the fan on a metallic surface.
 3. The fan of claim 2, wherein the magnet is attached to a surface of the rechargeable battery.
 4. The fan of claim 1, wherein the body portion is generally elongate about a first axis, the fan further including: a head, wherein the head is attached to the body portion, the head having a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion, the first axis intersecting with the second axis at an angle; wherein the fan blade is attached to the head, the fan blade having a third axis of rotation in relation to head, the second axis intersecting the third axis at an angle, whereby, when the head is rotated about the second axis, the third axis sweeps out a portion of a cone.
 5. The fan of claim 4, wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at an angle of between 45 to 60 degrees.
 6. The fan of claim 4, wherein the second axis and the third axis intersect at an angle of between 30 to 45 degrees.
 7. The fan of claim 4, wherein the head is composed of only two mirror image pieces.
 8. The fan of claim 7, wherein the two pieces of the head are configured to be held together only by the body portion.
 9. The fan of claim 4, wherein the body portion is composed of only two effectively mirror image pieces.
 10. The fan of claim 4, wherein the head includes a cylindrical neck, and the body portion includes a cylindrical throat, the throat being adapted to receive the neck.
 11. The fan of claim 10, wherein the neck includes a collar, the collar being adapted to extend beyond a diameter of the throat to prevent the head from separating from the body portion.
 12. A portable electric fan comprising: a body portion that is generally elongate about a first axis; a head, wherein the head is attached to the body portion, the head having a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion, the first axis intersecting with the second axis at an angle; and a fan blade attached to the head, the fan blade having a third axis of rotation in relation to head, the second axis intersecting the third axis at an angle, whereby, when the head is rotated about the second axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation sweeps out a portion of a cone.
 13. The fan of claim 12, wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at an angle of between 45 to 60 degrees.
 14. The fan of claim 12, wherein the second axis and the third axis intersect at an angle of between 45 to 30 degrees.
 15. The fan of claim 12, wherein the head is composed of only two mirror image pieces.
 16. The fan of claim 15, wherein the two pieces of the head are configured to be held together only by the body portion.
 17. The fan of claim 12, wherein the body portion is composed of only two effectively mirror image pieces.
 18. The fan of claim 12, wherein the head includes a cylindrical neck, and the body portion includes a cylindrical throat, the throat being adapted to receive the neck.
 19. The fan of claim 18, wherein the neck includes a collar, the collar being adapted to extend beyond a diameter of the throat to prevent the head from separating from the body portion.
 20. The fan of claim 12, further including a rechargeable battery for powering the fan blade via a motor.
 21. The fan of claim 20, further including a magnet attached to the fan, adapted to stabilize the fan on a metallic surface.
 22. The fan of claim 21, wherein the magnet is attached to an outer surface of the rechargeable battery. 